That's what one hospital in Toronto is doing, anyway, on a limited trial basis.
According to The Edge, Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto has begun using a hacked version of the Xbox motion-control device called Kinect to make surgeries more efficient, and potentially more beneficial to their patients.
For those of you who don't know (and many of my regular readers don't), Kinect is an Xbox peripheral where *you* are the controller. The system has a camera that tracks your movements, allowing it to process what you're doing and put it into the game. Unlike the Wii and the Playstation Move, you're not holding anything. The camera is reading *you*, not what's in your hand.
(Here's the device itself)
(Here it is in action)
It's an awesome piece of technology, and people have come up with a number of cool modifications to the system to do things like make 3-D maps of their rooms and stuff like that.
It was only a matter of time before people adapted it for other, more useful things.
"The Winnipeg Free Press reports that surgeons at Sunnybrook Hospital are using open-source Kinect drivers for PC to allow them to manipulate images of medical scans – something which normally involves a meticulous cleanup operation to ensure sterility around the patient, taking around 20 minutes each time.
Dr. Calvin Law, a surgical oncologist who helped integrate the system at the hospital, said checking of images often added an hour to surgical procedures. Using hand gestures to call up, rotate and zoom in on images, Law believes surgeons can be more precise in saving, for example, healthy tissue when removing a tumour, as well as saving time."
According to the paper, they've used the modified Kinect for six surgeries so far, and hope to make it a hospital-wide procedure soon.
Is this cool, or what? They're already doing remote surgeries where the surgeon doesn't even have to be in the room. While this does require the surgeon to be present, it's amazing that they can save time like this. The less time you're under the knife and under anesthesia, the less time there is for something to go wrong.
And, you know, maybe some of the other people in the room can play some Dance Central if there's a particular instance where they're not needed right at that moment.
It's a win-win!
(h/t: The Official Xbox Magazine podcast, where host Ryan McCaffrey mentioned the Edge article)
You know what's the most difficult thing about these weekly one-hit wonders posts?
Coming up with a beginning. A lot of times, the page just sits here, empty, for hours at a time while I rack my brain for something outrageously funny to entertain my legions of fans.
Ok, maybe "legions" is too strong of a word. Perhaps "couple" would be better?
Anyway, the meetings here at One-Hit Wonders Inc, where we try to hash out just how these posts start, usually start out pretty calm and productive.
But then one intern comes up with an idea another intern hates, and, well, it's not pretty.
There's a reason we have ten people on our office medical staff.
Maybe I should start providing them benefits too!
Nah, they're just interns.
Anyway, it's Week 16 in the One-Hit Wonders of the 2000s! We enter into 2005 now, hopefully with a lot more quality than we had in 2004. Can it get much worse?
Yeah, I suppose it could get worse.
Three short weeks for this year, since there are eighteen songs. That's three posts of six each.
As usual, you can find the list I'm taking these from here. Don't jump ahead of me, or this might get you.
Whoops! Sorry. That's me before my monthly spa appointment.
I meant this.
Here we go! 1)Josh Gracin: "Nothin' to Lose" (#39) (March 19, 2005)
Yet another Country invasion! Man the ramparts! At least no dogs died in this song. That's always a good thing. Did his girlfriend leave him? Let's see.
I really hate it when they sing so fast that I can't sing along, even if I did know the words. Barenaked Ladies, I'm looking at you too.
How do they do that? Do they do lots of mouth and speaking exercises that make the mouth extra-limber? Do we really want to know what those might be?
So let me get this straight. It didn't matter what the note said. Just that he wrote it is good enough for her? What if it was a laundry list?
Now *that's* a basis for a marriage!! Or a rather dumb video.
I do remember that my notes to girls in high school were always better if they were covered in mashed potato, though.
The gravy helped hide any other stains that might be on there.
I'm trying to think of it, but it's just not coming to me. Let me spend a few lines of this blog thinking about it. Talk amongst yourselves...
Oh yeah!
Yes, I have regressed into childhood.
And changed genders!
That takes talent, you know.
3) Joss Stone: "Cry Baby/Piece of My Heart" (#32) (April 2, 2005)
It's kind of sad that this is Stone's only appearance in the basic Top 40, as she's a great soul singer.
This also ushers in the world of the digital download hit, as I believe this is the first hit (or at least the first one-hit wonder) that was *only* released digitally, after the Grammy performance where this video comes from. This was never released as a physical single.
Since there's no video to make fun of, and I like Etheridge as well as Stone, I'll leave this one for you to enjoy.
Why am I reminded of those Ops Center novels that have Tom Clancy's name in big bold letters, and then under the title it says "oh yeah, written by Michael Smith" or something?
It's like Big Boi is guiding Valentine into the music business, making her a hit.
I see that worked out well, didn't it?
Maybe Big Boi just isn't that good of a mentor? I know I learned everything I know about managing from guys like him.
I can only think of a couple of reasons that this video is even popular at all.
You want a girlfight? Now *this* is a girlfight.
Same T&A, but a lot more talent.
Though even I can't explain the pig-man.
5) System of a Down: "B.Y.O.B" (#27) (June 4, 2005)
I was just about to say "Yay! No rap!!!!" But then the song started.
WTF???
"You feed us lies from the tablecloth?" (Yes, I translate, so you don't have to) What the hell does that even mean?
As with much heavy metal, this is an anti-establishment song, assuming you can even hear what they're saying. With lines like "Why don't presidents fight the war" and "Why do we always send the poor", and given it's 2005, it's obviously an anti-Iraq War song as well. Oh, and "Dancing in the desert blowing up the sunshine" just kind of confirms that. (Ok, the Wikipedia entry for the band says this is a song questioning military recruitment strategies, which I suppose I can see too).
That this song even made it into the Top 40 indicates the general mood of the populace in 2005, I think. How else to explain the willingness to put up with exploded eardrums just to make your opinion known?
You do realize that there are a lot better, and more importantly, quieter, anti-war songs to feed your palette, don't you?
The band actually had a lot of success on the "Mainstream Rock" chart, but since this is the only song on the regular Top 40, they are, officially, a "one-hit wonder."
Why couldn't they have had another hit? Just so I didn't have to listen to them?
You know, I listened to this whole song without typing anything. Was I enthralled by it? Not really, though it is a good song.
But it was just a refreshing change from all the shit that's been on here this week. It was nice to just hear a simple guitar! No pounding vocals, no headache-inducing "music," nothing that made me want to wring Wilfrid Brimley's neck.
Though I've *really* got to get a mustache like that. Only, you know, less grey.
This is just a very pretty song. It gives me visions...visions....visions I can't get out of my mind.
It's just...peaceful, you know?
Then the dark thoughts come back.
And it almost becomes unbearable again.
So there you have it! Week 1 of 2005. At this rate, by the end of the decade, this is going to be me.
But we'll see what happens!
Don't worry, though. Easter is almost here, and the office Easter Party is always a pick-me-up.
That should get me through until...well, May, anyway.
That's the only reason I can think of for all of the nice words my friend Dawn said about this blog yesterday in her "Spotlight On..." post.
Either that, or I get to have my own Sally Field moment.
I'm very flattered by being one of Dawn's spotlighted blogs. It's always nice to be recognized by our peers, and even more so when they're a good friend. I'm still proud as hell of that Smiling Widow award that my friend Lisa gave me.
Many thanks to Dawn for the recognition, but most importantly for the friendship. It's meant a lot to me.
And I definitely encourage you to check out her post, and then the four other bloggers that she spotlighted along with me, including the "Pure and Simple" blog by Debra Elramey, who has also left some awesome comments on my blog here. I'm an avid follower of her blog as well.
But don't forget who sent you, and make sure you come back here.
I don't want to have to send the St. Bernard with the wine cask around his neck after you.
In this episode, we discuss the MET course "Ventures in Learning Technologies" with the instructor, David Vogt. Jenny and I also discuss social media and its use by post-secondary professors and the like. In addition to all that, there's March Madness, a brief mention of Japan as it has affected some of our MET students, and much more.
We're approaching Episode 10, slowly but surely. Should we have a celebration? Or should we just wait until #50 (which would actually be 2 years away, bi-weekly)?
Take a listen, even if it's just to listen to me! :)
Also, we would love to have some feedback from people who aren't in our office. Send us an email if you have a comment on the podcast. I won't identify that you know me. :) If I know you, that is.
"Experienced Blogger on a Closed Course. Do Not Attempt This at Home"
I was watching last night's Canucks/Red Wings game, and there was a commercial for dishwasher detergent. It showed a bunch of construction-type workers manually scrubbing all of the caked-on food off of the plates and other dishes. I guess the commercial was trying to show how effective this detergent is in getting out tough food stains (stains on your soul, however, are still much tougher to get out).
What made me laugh is that little word down in the bottom right corner of the screen: "Dramatization"
Really? You mean there aren't little construction workers in my dishwasher, cleaning my plates? I am so disappointed. Not only that, but if there aren't any of these workers in there, then why do I keep hearing voices coming from it?
Maybe those voices are actually coming from where we keep the household cleaning supplies. Maybe it's these guys!
I can't quite understand the voices, but they seem to be saying stuff like "Your friends hate you! They don't understand you! You should just end it all now and be done with it!"
And by that, I'm sure they mean that I should go to a Justin Bieber concert. Because that truly would be the end.
I think they should put disclaimers on household products like these. "Warning: Lack of use of this product, may make you feel inferior when you go to other people's houses."
Especially when the head of the house is this woman.
Actually, I think that *house* should come with a disclaimer.
"Warning: Upon entering this house, you shall have joined the Space Age."
But getting back to dumb disclaimers, what does it say about our society that commercials *have* to put some of them on there? Who uses their blow dryer in the bathtub? Are they trying to set up their own hot tub with whirlpool action? And are they shocked when it doesn't work?
I want the ultimate disclaimer:
"Warning: This product not intended for use by stupid people. If you aren't sure if this applies to you, then it does."
But then I guess sales would really plummet, wouldn't they?
This has been another entry in Duane Scott's ongoing "Pleasantly Disturbed Thursdays" series. Head on over and check out the other entries!
At least, that's what the attractive people in the world seem to be saying.
In a study run by St. Andrews University in the UK (let's hope the government didn't pay for this one), the more attractive you consider yourself to be, the more likely you are to be turned off if your date tries to make you contribute to dinner. They seem to be saying "Hey, I'm worth a lot, so you'd better pay up."
"She has spent hours on her hair and make up, bought a new outfit and done her nails. So perhaps it is only fair that her date should pay for dinner.
Pretty women are less likely than plain Janes to offer to contribute towards the bill on a first date, research shows.
But they are not worried about the expense - it is likely to be because they believe their date should pay for the pleasure of being with them, according to researchers at St Andrews University."
First, the people involved in the test were asked to rate their own attractiveness. They were then shown pictures of potential dinner dates. They were supposed to imagine themselves on the date, and then decide among three options: they would pay, the date would pay, or they would split the bill.
Oh, "handsome" men were also reluctant to pay as well, the article notes in passing. I guess that doesn't make as good of a headline, though, including both genders.
There were some interesting findings, though whether one study is enough to actually say this is true is debatable. First, men were more likely to offer to pay if they found the woman attractive, in a sort of "I'm really desperate and you're hot, so I want to see you again" kind of way.
Ok, that first part may not have been in the study.
Interestingly enough, they found the total opposite if the roles were reversed. Women who were seemingly interested wanted their date to pay for dinner. If they offered to split the bill, it was a sign that the date didn't go that well and they probably didn't really want to go out with the guy again.
Nothing in the article on what happened if both parties saw themselves as gorgeous
Of course, etiquette experts would disagree with all of this anyway. Most say that the person who sets up the date should pay the bill, regardless of gender or attractiveness.
Also keep in mind that this pretty much just applies to that first date. If you've agreed to start seeing each other more than once (maybe it also applies to the second date), then a relationship has developed where it probably isn't as cut and dried who should pay when the couple goes out.
So what do you think? Do you agree with this study? Do you think they're full of it? Or do you think the test subjects are full of it?
My years in the dating scene seem to indicate that the study is true.
Do you have a bookmark folder on your web browser that's exclusively devoted to all of the blogs you read? Whether it's a bunch of home-schooling blogs, video game blogs, political blogs, or what have you, it can sometimes be tough to keep track of everything that you're trying to keep track of.
I am a blog reader as well as writer, so I am in the same boat as you (though my cabin's up on the Ledo Deck).
I do have that folder, and it's got lots of blogs in it. Many of them which I don't read any more. Others that I read habitually.
If you're having trouble, though, keep in mind that there are lots of different ways to follow your favourite blogs, many of which don't require you to keep checking to see if the blogger has actually written anything that day. For example, my friend Dawn's blog, Healing Morning, is one that I don't have bookmarked. (It's an excellent and inspirational blog, by the way, so you should definitely check it out). The reason is that she doesn't write every day, but instead when the spirit moves her. To keep checking once a day would get annoying after a while, not to mention padding her visitor stats count with a hit that's not engaging with her content (mainly because I already engaged with it when it first appeared, or shortly thereafter).
Instead, I've made it so I don't have to keep checking. I find out she's posted something whenever I want to. I'm subscribed to it through Google Reader, which collects all the blogs that I read in an easy to use manner. It's very easy, and it makes blog reading a lot more bearable.
I'll go through the ways that you can subscribe to *my* blog (because I'm selfish that way), so you too won't have to keep checking whether I've written something. Instead, it will come to you.
1) Subscribe through a blog reader
I find Google Reader to be the easiest for me to do this, though there are many readers out there that you can try. All you have to have is a Google account. You can log into your Google account and, not just do your email, but also follow your blogs at the same time. On the Google home page, there are a bunch of links at the top. One of them is "Reader". If it's not there, then there's a "More" pull-down menu right at the end. In that menu will be "Reader." Or you can just go to www.google.com/reader
One thing that I love about Google Reader is that it makes other Blogger blogs (Blogger is owned by Google) really easy to subscribe to. See that "Google Friend Connect" box on the right side of the page, about a quarter of the way down? The label is "Followers". That is where you can "follow" my blog through Google Friend Connect (I've got 58 and counting at the time of this writing!).
The cool thing is that, if you use Google Reader, it will automatically add any blog that you follow through Google Friend Connect. You don't even have to take an extra step.
It's not limited to Google blogs, though. You can subscribe to any blog in a reader. See the section on the left side of the page, labelled "Subscription"? That little button there will allow you to subscribe through any reader. It's a standard button, so you should look for it on any blog that you read. It should be there somewhere. You just add that address to your reader and voila! You are now subscribed to it.
If you want to go to the original post and leave a comment, there is always a link to be able to do that. Either it will be called "View Original Post" or the title will be hyperlinked so you can just click on it.
Even better is that Google Reader has its own iPhone/iPad app too! Don't know about Android and Blackberry, but I wouldn't be surprised. That way, you can read your blogs on the go.
2) Email
How would you like every blog entry I post to appear in your email Inbox the next day? You can also subscribe to my blog via email, and it will show up in digest form the next morning. That means if I do more than one post, you will still only get one email. All of the posts will show up in that one email.
This is really handy for those who want it hand-delivered to them (I literally do walk through all of the Internet wires and place it delicately in your Inbox. With a fluffy pillow and a piece of chocolate as well). That way, you never have to check the blog itself. You can just wait for my blogging awesomeness to appear the next day. Again, you can just click through the link if you wish to leave a comment.
On my blog, the email subscription link is on the left side of the page, just above the "Ask Me a Question!" Formspring box (speaking of which, none of you are asking me any questions, and I'm starting to get a complex).
Just click on the link, enter your email address, then respond to the confirmation email and you're in!
3) Networked Blogs
You can also subscribe through Networked Blogs, which is a Facebook app. That means you don't even have to be my friend on Facebook in order to see it. You can do that through the handy "Networked Blogs" button on the right side of the page. However, I believe you do have to go to the Networked Blogs page to see the blogs you're subscribed to. I'm not sure on that.
If we're already friends on Facebook, I believe the post will show up in your News Feed twice: once because it posted to my wall and once because you subscribed to it via Networked Blogs. If you don't subscribe, it will only show up the one time because it's on my wall.
I think that's the case, but one of my Facebook friends can chime in and tell me if that's how it works.
If you can stand the indignity of admitting that we're friends.
4) Facebook Fan Page
Finally, if all else fails, you can "Like" my page on Facebook! That's also on the right side of the page, and I would love it if you clicked that button. That way, you can just go to the fan page and see if a post has been added. It should also appear in your News Feed as well.
In fact, you don't even have to do it as a way to subscribe to the blog. If you just like the blog, click that button. You can follow me any other way you want. But the more "fans" I have, the less likely I am to sit in a corner and cry my eyes out because nobody likes me.
So get clicking!
There are other ways to follow blogs that I don't have enabled on here. At least I think there are. Since I don't use them, I haven't researched them.
But the most important thing is that you know how to follow *this* blog, so that's what I'm concentrating on.
Are we a slave to our tech? Do you feel a little lost when you're without your computer, or some other piece of technology that you use daily?
I've had that experience before, but it never fails to amaze me when it happens again.
The office bought me a new computer and it finally arrived late last week. The techies took it downstairs and did their thing, but then they had to take my computer to transfer stuff over. They used to come up to your office to do it, they'd get out their little laptop (it was almost a handheld), start up the process and an hour or two later, it was done.
Now, they take your computer with them. So from Friday morning around 10:30 or so, I've been without a computer. I've been using our office laptop, which at least let me do my email. But I had access to none of my files, so it was really hard to work.
They called Friday around 3:15 (I leave at 4:00) and said it would be about another half hour.
No computer.
I called this morning when I got in. Left a message because I'm always here before everybody else.
Got a call-back. Should be about half an hour.
Two and a half hours later, they finally bring it back! So I'd been stuck on that laptop for almost a day, overall. It's slow, kind of old, and I had no files.
I felt lost all day Friday, and also this morning, too. Spent the morning researching stuff for our podcast that we're recording Wednesday, because at least that stuff I can do on the web.
So the guy comes up, shows me a bunch of stuff, and then we discover that he didn't bring my Chrome bookmarks over.
The faculty supports Firefox, not Chrome, so they set up Firefox for me. But I use Chrome, and all of my bookmarks are still on my old hard drive. He's coming up later today with some cables. We'll hook up the old hard drive to the new computer temporarily and bring those files over.
Until then, I still feel discombobulated. I can work now, and I have access to my files.
But I have no bookmarks.
Yes, I realize that's a minor thing, and I can just type in the addresses.
You know what they should come up with? A "Facebook" for nerds. They've already got a "Facebook" for sex partners, so why not for nerds too? They need to socialize too!
It could have status updates where you say what game you're currently playing, or what strange bit of technology you're working on. It can even have a dating area in the site where nerds can go to find their true love. Or maybe like those classifieds where you state that you saw somebody interesting and want the chance to meet up with them again.
"Was on subway. Saw you solving for XY, and I loved watching you solve Fermat's Last Theorem. Had to get off subway before I could work up courage to approach you. Are you out there? Would you handle my derivative?"
I think it would be a big hit.
(And I am a nerd, so I can tell nerd jokes, just like Russell Peters can tell Indian jokes)
Why am I thinking of this stuff on a Sunday morning instead of my usual one-hit wonders? It could have been the food served at last night's party. Or the company I was keeping.
Yeah, that would do it.
It's time for this week's one-hit wonders post! We're closing out 2004 on a high note.
No!!! Stupid interns! Not *that* kind of high!
Though, on second thought, that might make the music more palatable.
As usual, you can find the list I'm taking these from here. Don't get too eager, though, and jump ahead. One of our interns will be waiting for you.
I really should add skin conditions to the company's benefits package.
Here we go! 1) Houston: "I Like That" (#3) (August 14, 2004)
You know one of the neat things about rap and hip hop?
It's a very social form of music. They're always "singing" *with* somebody, or even two or three. Houston's got three people with him.
And they've always got people around them too! You don't see them lamenting lost loves or anything like that. It's all very positive.
See? "I like that." Houston keeps on saying that. What a positive thing to say! He doesn't say "I hate that" or something else. The women in the video are obviously very happy.
No way! It can't be fake!
I'm so disillusioned now...
2) Kevin Lyttle (featuring Spragga Benz): "Turn Me On" (#4) (August 14, 2004)
Must be a popular song! There are actually two videos for it, and both of them have Lyttle singing, so they must be at least semi-official.
Gotta love those high voices on the hot guys, don't you ladies? Do I detect a little Autotune as well, though? Maybe.
And I love the Jamaican rhythm too. It's got that little touch of Reggae without actually being Reggae (unless Reggae has started including weird electronic sounds as well as its normal musical tones, in which case I stand corrected!)
At least he knows what he wants, eh? He's quite specific too. Wonder if he gets that specific with his other requests.
"Honey! Make me a sandwich! Spread the peanut butter nice and slow with the knife. Then squirt that jelly on there! Yeah, you know what I like.
Oh, and don't forget the pickle"
3) Terror Squad: "Lean Back" (#1) (August 24, 2004)
This is the song I've been waiting for! There's a reason this is on my Youtube "Favorites" list so I can listen to it again and again.
This ode to 80s music and pop culture just brings back so many memories, and it helps that the song rocks as well. "When did Motley Crue become classic rock?" I hear ya, buddy!
On the other hand, the song just makes me feel old sometimes, a throwback to my high school days. "There was U2, and Blondie, and music still on MTV." Where does all the time go?
I also love the production of the video. Trying to entice the hot MILF across the street by catering to her nostalgic roots.
I'll bet that happens in a lot of garages.
Awesome video, awesome song, and that's no joke.
But I would be remiss if I didn't thank Dan Amrich (from Activision) and Palette-Swap Ninja for inspiring me to go back to this song, which I had dismissed from my head as "stupid" a few years ago. Their video game parody of the song, "Arcade Gaming Shrine" made me go back to the original as well as enjoying their song.
And now I'm hooked on both. Thanks, Dan!
6) Rupee: "Tempted to Touch" (#39) (November 20, 2004)
This is like Kevin Lyttle's song, without the squeaky voice!
Of course, any video with Salma Hayak in it can't be all bad.
You don't know her age???? In these times, that's kind of an important thing to know, isn't it? Considering how old the young ones are looking nowadays?
This is a decent song. But you know what this video has done?
Yep, it's certainly true. Trailer parks just don't have any luck.
Some videos have a story, and others just have a theme. This seems to be some kind of post-apocalyptic trailer park where everybody's just singing and playing their instruments. There's no real reason for Lee to have black wings on (other than the fact that she looks damned good in a white t-shirt and white wings wouldn't really stand out). If she's supposed to be some sort of Angel of Death, she sure isn't acting like one.
Still, it's a cool song, and a nice way to end 2004.
Especially given all the rap we've seen lately.
And there you have it! We're almost half-done with the 2000s, and, well, let's just face it. There's been a lot of crap.
But onwards into 2005!!! I remember that New Year's Eve like it was yesterday.
Ummmm...maybe I did have too much to drink that night.
Back in November, I had a complaint about Hootsuite, that wonderful web-based social media platform that will let you keep track of a lot of things all in one place.
It was the retweeting (RT) function. While I loved the fact that it let users both use the old RT function where you can type your own comment in addition to what you're retweeting as well as the new one.
(I'm not going to explain retweeting again, for those of you who don't know, I did in my original complaint).
The original Hootsuite problem was that, while they allowed you to use both RT functions, you had to go into your preferences and choose one. Sometimes, you want to RT something without comment, and sometimes you do want to comment.
Why should I have to go into my Preferences and change it each time I want to do one or the other? My original complaint got a response on Twitter from Hootsuite's CTO, Simon Stanlake (@sedsimon). I was quite amazed by that, and once he understood my complaint (he misunderstood me at first, thinking I was saying that Hootsuite didn't offer both options), he agreed that it was a good idea.
Lo and behold, a couple of weeks ago I go to RT something, and it says "Retweet to your followers?" with a box that says "Yes" and a box that says "Edit". If you click on "Edit," it will do the RT the old-fashioned way!
I was in seventh heaven, and I've been meaning to blog about it but haven't gotten around to it.
I think Hootsuite should be commended for making this change, and I'd like to take credit for it.
Because I'm that awesome.
Ok, it may have been in the works already, but considering the Mr. Stanlake's response to me ("good point. Appreciate the feedback"), maybe nobody had mentioned it?
I don't know.
I'm just glad it's working now. I love being able to make the decision on the fly and comment on what I'm retweeting.
Or just send it along without worrying about it.
Thank you, Hootsuite!!!
And for those of my followers who aren't interested in Twitter but read through all of this anyway, or if you're just looking for pictures, here's some more cookies for you, to go with the one you got in November.
There has been a lot of talk about video games and children. Much of it negative. A lot of it positive too, especially in regards to how they can be learning tools.
It looks like Nintendo's branching out a bit into the educational software area, though.
According to Games Radar, Nintendo's inserting itself into the Arts classroom. (They apparently have already had a number of Wii consoles be used in gym classes for fitness).
"Nintendo has just announced a partnership with the National Art Education Association. The initiative involves selected schools throughout the US, which will receive DSi XL systems and multiple copies of the game Art Academy. Unlike most painting or drawing games, Art Academy is actually marketed as a game that can teach players real-life art techniques."
The game actually looks pretty cool.
It supposedly will help with combining colours, sketching, and things like that. This concept really works well since the DS has a stylus and a touch-sensitive screen that will let you draw and sketch with it.
Back in my day, there weren't any graphics-heavy games that were also educational, though I do remember a pretty good politics simulator and a good business one that we played in FORTRAN class (I miss Mr. Jones).
But what do you think of using video games in classrooms like this? Good idea? Thin edge of the wedge that will lead to more violent games?
Is it really that far from Art Academy to Pokemon? And then, heaven forbid, Donkey Kong Country?
Devon Monk is an amazing writer. Nothing flashy, and she'll never win the Pullitzer Prize or anything (not that she should even care about that anyway), but her ability to entertain is way up at the top of the author chain.
You probably got that impression from my last Devon Monk post, but now another of my reviews has been posted on Curled Up With a Good Book.
This one is for Magic at the Gate, the latest novel in the Allie Beckstrom series, and it's probably her best, at least of the ones I've read.
Once again, Monk's mastery of character and plot are showcased, but for once she doesn't have the really slow beginning. It helps that the last book ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so she has to hit the ground running this time. The book is all the better for it.
Not that I need action all of the time. It's just that the non-action she usually starts with isn't as interesting as it could be. Here, she doesn't have the opportunity to lull the reader into a sleepy state.
"Allie’s lover and fellow magic-user, Zayvion Jones, lies soulless after a battle with a rival faction of wizards that has sundered the Authority (a group of wizards who govern how magic is used). Allie has gone through the gate that Zayvion's soul was banished to, a realm of death and darkness. In order to save Zayvion's life and soul, she may have to give up something else of great importance to her. When she gets back, she discovers that evil hasn't taken a break. Dead souls walk the earth again, hungry for magical energy."
The series is definitely moving somewhere, making some progress in this entry. I have no idea how long Monk plans on going, though.
Until she reaches the end, though, she's got me along for the ride.
Check out the review and let me know what you think!
I'm having a little trouble getting motivated today. Not sure exactly why. The Canucks just completed a 5-0 road trip and are coming home to play on Monday. It's a beautiful day outside (if you're into grey, gloomy, and rainy), and I feel like I'm the King of the World.
Ok, maybe that's it.
I'm just so damned awesome that the power of my awesomeness is overpowering me. It's like a vicious circle. The more awesome you are, the more pressure there is to be EVEN MORE AWESOME. And then, when you succeed at doing that, then you have to be more awesome than that even.
Really, the pressure's killing me.
But I shall persevere!!!
Because I'm awesome that way.
It's time for this week's edition of the the one hit wonders of the 2000s! That hive of hilarity, that lip balm of lunacy, and that smorgasbord of smiles! (angry at all the alliteration yet?)
Looking ahead to 2004, there are only 13 songs, so only two weeks of entries! And only one of them really looks that good, though they might surprise me.
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride!
Yes, we're going to Great America. What, you thought I was talking about the songs?
Wow! A song I've heard! And remember! And get excited about!
No, sorry. Not excited. Just like exclamation points. I'm better now.
What a sad video.
Way to look sad, guy, when she gets hit by the car. Don't even reach out and shout "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" or anything like that.
Can I have one of those sedatives?
Oh! That's why! Never mind.
Ok, so you do a really nice (ok, a "not too bad") love song, and set it to a heist video? Is he saying that he's doing this for her? Because she wants the gem?
Now there's a sentiment! I will become a criminal for you!
And we've got the first one-hit wonder that seems to be in the vein of Destiny's Child. Only took 4-5 years!
This song is definitely good for a dance club, and it's not even *that* bad to listen to sitting at your computer in your underwear.
Though the video helps with that part.
I do have to wonder whether that guy is supposed to be dancing or having a seizure, though. Because it's really not obvious.
We've had a couple of good songs in a row! Somebody must be watching over me.
Though in actuality, it might be this guy.
Either way, I feel protected.
6) Diana DeGarmo: "Dreams" (#14) (July 17, 2004)
(Don't think there's a video for this one)
Has it been this long since we've had an American Idol star (though not winner)? I guess so. Either that, or the others have become 2 or more hit wonders (say that three times fast).
This is a pretty song, of course. So I shall ignore it.
What do you think of Steven Tyler as an AI judge? And I don't mean "artificial intelligence," though he does look a bit artificial, doesn't he?
How many of the singers has he hit on so far? Inquiring minds want to know. And what was the median age?
And there we have it! Week one of two in 2004, as we have a really lean year. I wonder why that is. Did artists either become big stars or never catch fire in the first place? There was no in between? I'm noticing a dearth of one-hit wonders in the 2000s so far. Maybe we'll only hit 20 episodes.
Hey! I heard that! None of you are getting your diplomas now.
Stupid students.
Anyway, I'm off to start my day. A little later than usual, but what can you do.
Don't you hate it when you're reading a book, and it just suddenly stops? Does it make you want to throw the book against the wall?
No, I'm not talking about a badly written book with an ending that makes no sense.
I'm talking about a book where the ending is totally removed.
"Never happen!" you say?
Think again.
Catherine Hardwicke, of the Twilight movie franchise fame (at least the first one), has a new movie coming out. Called Red Riding Hood, it brings back the "latent sexuality" of the original fairy tale, a supernatural story (hopefully there will be no vampire fangs and much more skin pigment in this one) that re-tells the classic tale for a modern audience.
But according to Macleans magazine (this is the general "Newsmakers" page, with this particular story being headlined "No Fairy-Tale Ending Here"), the controversy is regarding the novelization of the movie, by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright.
You see, the book has no ending. At least not until the movie comes out.
In an effort to keep the ending of the movie secret, the book instead has an URL in the back of the book that will take you to a web site where you can find the ending.
Once the movie comes out.
Is this what the media world has come to, the conglomeration of various different types of media into one huge ball, dependent on each other?
Some authors have been very innovative with this type of thing. Jasper Fforde has a lot of web content that heightens the experience of his books, and his site is very much worth looking at.
News programs have interviews on the show, with the "complete" interview being hosted on the show's web site. You no longer get the full interview by watching the show. On the other hand, this gives them a chance to do a more in-depth interview. You can broadcast the best part on the show itself and then, if somebody wants to hear more, they can go to the web site.
But to have a book depend on a web site seems to be taking things a bit too far. You shouldn't have to go to a different form of media in order to follow a story.
This is ridiculous.
Besides, does the movie change the story that much? Do Hood and the wolf go on the road for an orgy of violence, like Mickey & Mallory?
Or something equally as stupid?
What do you think? Should media be mixed to this extent? Should a different form of media be required for the recipe to be successful?
Or should the combination of media just add a little spice to an already delicious concoction?
And does anybody really care about this movie anyway?
After my initial post about it, were any of you chomping at the bit to pick up that "racy" new game called "We Dare?" I know I had to almost physically restrain my friend Raquel from standing in line for it when it comes out.
Sadly, it may not happen.
According to Games Radar, after the trailer was released, Ubisoft cancelled the game in the UK.
Apparently, there wasn't any problem with the 12+ age rating (and after reviewing it and thinking about it further, I can't totally disagree, as most of the "raciness" is in the minds of the players and what they do with the game). It was the trailer and the target market that caused the uproar.
Really? An uproar? I think we over here just rolled our collective eyes at it and said "this is stupid."
Is the US next? Should it be?
And should they be encouraged to cancel it by an outraged public? Or outraged investors who think that this is a waste of money and nobody will actually buy it?
For your viewing pleasure, here's the original trailer again (and I hope this actually remains available this time).
And make sure you check out the Games Radar page I linked to. It's hilariously cutting.
Also, according to Game Informer, Ubisoft has been banned from doing online ads for the game in Europe. The ads were called "misleading".
We explore the topic of iPods in the classroom as an educational tool, along with other technologies, in an interview with one of our MET graduates. Also, nutrition and educational outcomes, and how important proper nutrition is for kids' learning.
Hope you moms and teachers out there give us a listen.
We're seven episodes in, and I am getting a bit more comfortable. I think we have a pretty good rapport and I'm really having a lot of fun doing it.
Even if I do have butterflies in my stomach on recording day.
Let me know what you think! And subscribe to us on iTunes. We need listeners. Just search for "EPLT" in the podcast section. YOu can also rate us and leave a comment, which we would love as well.
And send us an email if you like what you hear. It might even get read on-air. :)
I'm sensing something ominous in the air. Something just doesn't feel right. I look around, feeling a palpable sense of unease. I'm nervous now. Too scared to stop typing, because I know that if I do, it will finally have the power to get me. I feel it behind me...I hesitantly look back over my shoulder.
OH NO!!!! IT'S HIDEOUS!!!!! *GIRLIE SCREAM*
No, wait. That's not it.
It's actually because we're on lucky #13! Yes, episode 13 of the one-hit wonders of the 2000s. I feel a sense of pure evil watching over me
Or maybe that was the overdose of Wheat Thins that I had last night.
Anyway, onward and upward!!!! This is your weakly dose of bad music and bad jokes (hopefully the music's worse than the jokes, and you would tell me if I sucked, right? Don't answer that) that will set your soul on fire and give you that little tingly feeling all over.
No, the OTHER tingly feeling, not that nasty rash.
As usual, you can find the list I'm taking these from here, but don't you dare jump ahead of me! Or this will be me.
Here we go! 1) The Ataris: "The Boys of Summer" (#20) (September 20, 2003)
A rockin' remake of a Don Henley song!
I've never actually understood this song, to be honest. "My love for you will still be strong. After the boys of summer have gone." I assume they're talking about a Summer romance? But what about the other boys? Are they all competing for her affection? And are these guys just feeding her a line so she'll sleep with them?
Gotta love a band that names itself after a video game company.
I love the music in this song, that hard-driving rock beat actually appeals to me more than the Henley version. It's just too bad that there has to be singing in it too, as that could stand a little work.
Looking at the band's Wikipedia page, it looks like they've suffered more turnover than Paris Hilton's bedroom, but they're still going strong!
Watch how Houston peeks into the Top 40 room, decides he doesn't like the atmosphere, and quickly buggers off.
Nice beat! And I've never wanted to be a guitar more in my life. *swooon*
Like how I make jokes referencing the video, almost forcing you to watch it?
You don't?
No!! I didn't mean it!!!
Oh, please, don't kill us! Please, please don't kill us! You know I love you baby. I wouldn't leave ya. It wasn't my fault! Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!
And here ends the contest segment of the one-hit wonders of the 2000s...2 million Quatloos to whoever comments with which movie this is from.
Where am I getting them from? Oh, a very reliable source.
I'm getting seasiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!!!! Excuse me while I head to the toilet.
Whew, that's better. Um, you might not want to go in there for a little bit...
Why are they playing in the middle of a tornado? Is that a metaphor about the tornado of life, symbolized by the yelling father and boss?
Or am I talking out of my ass?
Hey, stop looking at my ass!
A song about rebellion. Yeah, like that hasn't been done before. And all of those battered youth slowly making their way to a Trapt concert? Do I see a cult following coming on?
Ha!
God, I'm desperate.
4) Fountains of Wayne: "Stacy's Mom" (#21) (November 15, 2003)
Um, not of me. No sir! I would never lust after a friend's mom! Ahem...
That being said, I'm sure the actress is of age and everything, but am I the only one feeling a bit icky about the subject matter of this song, and the obvious intent to make the viewer lust after not only Stacy's Mom, but Stacy herself? Somehow, I don't think she's supposed to be 18 in this song.
All of that being said, I understand why they did it. It's to show how Stacy likes him and is trying to attract him, and all he wants is her mom. If she was dressed all frumpy and everything, that wouldn't be the case.
And there's the obligatory soda-overflow metaphor. Why didn't they just have a rocket going off and be done with it?
Overall, this is kind of a fun song and video, and I think every teen-age boy has had a fantasy just like it.
Except me. Because I am innocent.
And I also have cheeks you just want to pinch.
5) Pat Green: "Wave on Wave" (#39) (November 29, 2003)
And another artist peeks into the Top 40 and says "nah, not for me" and runs away.
All right, I know. It's another country artist who happened to have one song slip into the Top 40. I still have to wonder about that. What makes one song from these talented (*ahem*) artists pop up in the Top 40, but none of their other Country hits do?
Do we smell?
Does he? Maybe he doesn't want to inflict himself on the rest of us.
The mind boggles.
Almost as much as realizing that aliens are among us! And they're infiltrating our families!
You'd think they'd find better food, though.
6) Stacie Orrico: "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life" (#30) (December 13, 2003)
Good lord, who did her make-up? And if that's a choice, well...
I guess she's "expressing herself."
Ok, that looks better. She must have been listening to me.
Somebody should kill that kid. I'm just saying...
Seriously, though, this song has a great message, and it's effectively portrayed in the video (ok, the sky-diving off the building in suits was a bit weird, but otherwise...). Temporary highs are great, but without a little stability in your life, you're just drifting along aimlessly.
Then again, the same could be said for this guy...
Liz is an artist that doesn't totally belong on here. She's had 3 hits on the "Adult Top 40" charts (what, are there "Kid Top 40" charts too?), but this is the only song that made the vanilla Billboard Top 40 list.
If I didn't know better, I would think that this whole Billboard thing is really messed up. But I'm sure they know what they're doing. They wouldn't get themselves into any weird situations, right?
Ok, other than the semi-annual Christmas party.
And there you have it! We're finally done with 2003. It seemed like it really dragged on, didn't it? It almost felt like a whole year passed or something.
The music really has to get better, doesn't it? Can it be that the music of the 2000s generally sucked? Or blew? Or both?
Nah, that can't be it. We're just going through a dry patch.
Hey, that camel just tried to kiss me!!!!
Next week, we start with 2004. And I have high hopes! We shall obtain our goal of good music! I can see it.
No. Wait. That's just a mirage, like what you see in the desert. Or like Kim Kardashian's talent.
But we shall carry on anyway!
But first, it's time to start my day.
Why yes, they do teach you that in school, Alex. Maybe not in *your* day...
, the latest novel in the Allie Beckstrom series, and it's probably her best, at least of the ones I've read.
